25 AUG 11OPENING REMARKS: The Planning Commission of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in a regular session on August 11, 2025. Chairman Moore opened the meeting at approximately 6:34 p.m.
expressing appreciation to those in attendance.
ROLL CALL: Commissioners Mike Dietz, Vivian Brittenum, Jim Oakley, Greg Bollen, and Chairman Jim Moore were present and answered ROLL CALL. Chairman Moore declared a quorum. PRESENT
(5) with chair, ABSENT (4).
CORRECTION AND/OR APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Brittenum moved, seconded by Commissioner Oakley to approve the minutes of July 14, 2025 as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING(S): a. REZONING 220 Southeastern Avenue from R-0 to R-3
Chairman Moore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:35 p.m.
City Engineer Adam Whitlow stated the owner is requesting is a rezone from R-0 to R-3, which is multi-family. He explained this is an un-subdivided one acre vacant tract that was properly
advertised and posted. He confirmed Public Works received no phone calls in support or opposition and the property is shown as residential on the Land Use Plan. He related that Staff
cautions approval due to adjacent properties being single-family.
City Clerk Davitt noted a call from Victoria Wayne at 400 Southeastern Avenue was received in opposition of this request.
A citizen from the audience shared his opposition, adding that the traffic is bad enough as it is and this will put more stress on the sewer system as well.
Petitioner Larry Butler clarified it would be a quadplex and he will be living in one of the units. He shared a picture of a possible design, ensuring that their intention is for it
to blend in with the other homes.
The proposed builder, Stanley Phillips, related that he has been a contractor for twenty years. He explained since the lot is narrow, he would put the eight parking spaces in front and
put the building behind, or vice versa if the Commission wanted. He mentioned the building is 108 feet wide, so it will be turned to the side. He affirmed the parking was designed to
where cars do not have to back out into traffic, so it will not add more to the neighborhood. He told how the building is 46 feet deep and each apartment would be approximately 1200
square feet with three bedrooms and two full bathrooms. He brought up that it will look more like a single-family house.
Engineer Whitlow reminded the Commission if a rezone is approved, they can build whatever is allowed by right in an R-3 zone and cannot put conditions on it.
Mr. Phillips assured they would only put what the Commission thinks is best there.
A brief discussion ensued regarding the ownership of the property where Engineer Whitlow noted a deed was turned into his office that confirmed ownership.
Chairman Moore cited Jacksonville Municipal Code § 18.24.010: The R-0 and R-1 districts are established to permit the developing of single-family site built detached dwellings and (…)
a suitable environment of low density development and to protect and maintain existing low density single-family development.
Chairman Moore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:48 p.m.
Commissioner Bollen moved, seconded by Commissioner Oakley to deny the rezoning of 220 Southeastern Avenue from R-0 to R-3. MOTION CARRIED.
b. REZONING 902 Church Street from R-1 to R-2
Chairman Moore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:48 p.m.
Representative Eric McCleary stated they would like to rezone to R-2 for rental property. He confirmed the three lots will be replat into two, with a duplex built on each one. He added
there are other duplexes further down and across the street behind the church.
City Clerk Davitt and Engineer Whitlow confirmed no phone calls were received regarding this request.
Commissioner Oakley recalled a vacant house being on the property for years, but it was torn down.
Chairman Moore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:52 p.m.
Commissioner Brittenum moved, seconded by Commissioner Oakley to approve the rezoning of 902 Church Street from R-1 to R-2. MOTION CARRIED.
c. CONDITIONAL USE 810 Sandalwood Drive auto sales in a C-4 zone
Chairman Moore opened the public hearing at approximately 6:53 p.m.
Engineer Whitlow surmised this property had continuously been utilized for auto sales. He explained when the owner passed away, his wife leased it, but with a change of business license,
it was flagged in the City’s system to require a new conditional use permit.
Petitioner Titan Crump stated he will only be selling cars; mainly wholesale, with some retail. He noted he has been selling cars since being out of high school and his family owns Crump’s
Auto Sales located next to this property. He brought up that he ran this lot with a business partner previously, but now wants to be on his own.
Chairman Moore closed the public hearing at approximately 6:56 p.m.
Commissioner Bollen moved, seconded by Commissioner Oakley to approve the conditional use of auto sales in a C-4 zone at 810 Sandalwood Drive. MOTION CARRIED.
REQUEST TO APPROVE PLAT(S):
BUILDING PERMIT(S): a. WAIVER REQUEST Hilltop MW Warehouse Lot 3 MW Commercial Subdivision
Representative Tommy Bond with Bond Engineering recalled this mini warehouse complex being approved last month, but code requires half street improvements. He told how General Samuels
Road has none and it is a waste of money to put curb on a 2-mile stretch, therefore, they request a waiver.
Commissioner Oakley noted there is some near Crooked Creek Subdivision and the elementary school.
Engineer Whitlow mentioned he is opposed to waivers on improvements, since it cannot be applied fairly, but requested a fee in-lieu of constructing the half street improvements. He related
that this allows the City to hold that money back until it becomes feasible to make it a continuous improvement. He brought up that if sidewalk waivers are granted often, when you apply
for sidewalk grants, it could affect the funding agency’s decision. He detailed that Mr. Bond would draw up a plan for the half street improvements and come up with an engineer’s estimate,
where he would concur or adjust.
Mr. Bond surmised it is 450 feet long.
A brief discussion ensued regarding drainage.
Commissioner Bollen moved, seconded by Council Member Dietz to deny the waiver request for Hilltop MW Warehouse Lot 3 MW Commercial Subdivision. MOTION CARRIED.
b. SITE PLAN Lot 1 Jacksonville Mini Storage Addition
Representative Jake White with Joe White and Associates proposed an approximately 2500 square foot climate controlled storage facility on the northeast corner of an existing storage
center. He related the work will consist of asphalt removal and replacement with a slab and small swell.
Engineer Whitlow stated this is the storage facility on First Street that was hit by the 2023 tornado. He confirmed it does meet the setback requirements.
Council Member Dietz moved, seconded by Commissioner Brittenum to approve the site plan of Lot 1 Jacksonville Mini Storage Addition. MOTION CARRIED.
GENERAL:
ANNOUNCEMENT(S):
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Moore without objection, adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________
Susan L. Davitt